These four collections by Sauvage, Aquarella Swimwear, Côte D’Or Swimwear, and Aguaclara were not afraid to show a little extra skin, combine eye-popping colors with a lot of style. This was a group show held in the Cabana Grande at the Raleigh Hotel during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim 2013 on July 23, 2012.

Wildfox Swim practically skipped down the Runway in fantastical wigs, colorful accessories, and playful swimsuits. Their enticing quips on their towels and tees, “swim forever, get a tan, margaritas” were as cute as their 2013 swimsuit collection; which was clearly catered to the ultra youthful spirit.

Keva J Swimwear was filled with nice surprises. One of them was Real Housewives of Miami’s Adriana De Moura wearing one of Keva J’s designs.

On July 20, 2012, held in the penthouse at the Raleigh Hotel, the models posed in Éclairée, a rather classy, yet understated collection of swimsuits and coverups. Designer Kelly Carrington put together a cohesive line with modest cuts.

There’s nothing like being the opening act. Lisa Blue “Call of the Whale” set a high bar for shows to follow the entire week during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Miami Swim 2013. Designer Lisa Burke has a passion for the gentle giants of the ocean. Her plea to help save the whale is a moving testimony of her dedication to this endangered species and a clear motivator when creating her stunning swimwear collections every season.

I’ve always been big on production and Luli Fama came out with more than enough to satisfy any critic. The opening of this runway show wowed us with a a pair of flappers and a couple of studly brass players.

The Lycra XtraLife fashion show was presented on July 21, 2012, at the Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach. There were three themes (LILY PAD, DESERT, and WINTER) with designs by Sauvage, Gottex, Maaji, Cia Maritima, Agua de Coco por Liana, etc.

Sitting just a few seats away from the late Zelda Kaplan, I watched the Joanna Mastroianni fashion show and was distracted by the commotion of the respected socialite’s untimely demise. The news that centered Kaplan’s death unfortunately took the spotlight away from a much deserved, and under-publicized successful new collection from Mastroianni.

Zac Posen’s Fall 2012 Collection was definitively Eastern in its influence. The parade of gowns worn by recognized top models, were distinctly themed with embroidery, origami folds, and oriental draping.

Held at The Studio at Lincoln Center, Zang Toi’s Fall 2012 Runway “Glamour at GSTAAD” showcases luxurious fabrics and fine tailoring. Can you say “white for winter?” the collection started out in white and had long coats for men, cocktail dresses with fur etching, wide-legged pants, sweaters and coats with silver rhinestones.